Immunochemical characteristics of the autoagglutination factor of plague pathogen
Rykova, V.A.; Lysova, L.K.; Podladchikova, O.N.
Klinicheskaia Laboratornaia Diagnostika 3: 19-22
2009
ISSN/ISBN: 0869-2084 PMID: 19388480 Document Number: 631797
Immunochemical studies were performed to characterize the autoagglutination factor (AF) isolated from the plasmid-free variant of Yersinia pestis EV76 strains. The preparation based on the capsule Cafl antigen isolated from the triplasmid variant of the same strain was used for comparison. AF and Cafl are the surface protein antigens of the plague pathogen, which are similar in their capacity for self-aggregation and in the molecular mass of a subunit (about 17 kDa). However, unlike Cafl, FA gives rise to protein aggregates resistant to 2-mercaptoethanol and sodium dodecyl sulfate. FA and Cafl were shown to be immunochemically different antigens, the antibodies to which were present in the plague hyperimmune equine serum. Thus, the new surface antigen of the plague causative organism, which induces the generation of antibodies during immunization with live bacteria of the vaccine Y. pestis strain, has been discovered.